Fur cutting machine



Sept- 1940- J. A. GUNDERSEN ET AL 2,213,853

FUR CUTTING MACHINE Filed Feb. 23, 1938 6 Sheets-Sheet l l VENTORS 501,156 QLOM MM BYW ATTORNEYS p 1940- J. A: 'GUNDERSEN ET' AL FUR CUTTING MACHINE Filed Feb. 23, 1938 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS WW ATTORNEYS P 3, J. A. GUNDERSEN ET AL 2,213,858

FUR CUTTING MACHINE Filed Feb. 23, 1938 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTORNEYS Sept. 1940- J. A. GUNDERSEN El" AL 2,213,858

FUR CUTTING MACHINE Filed Feb. 23, 1938 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 50mm 4. ww w INVENTORS ATTORNEYS Sept. 3, 1940. J. A. GUNDERSEN El AL FUR CUTTING MACHINE Filed Feb. 23, 1938- 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 4 www W INVENTORS ATTORNEYS p 3, 0- 4. A. GUNDERSEN El AL 2,213,858

FUR CUTTING MACHINE Filed Feb. 23, 1958 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 ATTORNEYS Patented Sept. 3, 1940 min FUR CUTTING MACHINE J acoh A. Gundersen and Gerald A. Weingartner, Kenmore, N. Y.

Application February 23, 1938, Serial No. 191,914

1'? Claims.

This invention relates to a fur cutting machine of the general type shown in application for Letters Patent in the United States, Serial No. 90,279.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide improved means for deflecting the hair on the body of the pelt or fur during the operation of cutting pieces from the edge of the pelt in order to prepare the same for connection by sewing with the correspondingly cut edge of another pelt in such manner that the seam between these pelts will not be noticeable.

In general this object is accomplished principally by a device which is organized to produce a suction effect upon the edge portion of the pelt or fur, so that the hair on the body of the skin which is subsequently utilized for constructing a fur garment is drawn out of the path of the de- Vices which sever the fur, this suction device being also utilized to carry away the hair-bearing Scraps or pieces of skin which have been cut from the body of the pelt thereby keeping the area immediately adjacent to the cutting mechanism clear of waste.

Further objects of this invention are to improve machines of this character in various details of construction with the view of increasing the speed of the same, to raise the quality of the work and to reduce the cost of operation.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. l is a diagrammatic perspective view of the fur cutting machine embodying our improvements.

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic top plan View of the same.

Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section of the machine, on an enlarged scale, taken through the central part thereof.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of two pieces of fur or pelt which have been sewed together on their opposing edges after having been cut by the machine of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a similar View of a piece of fur or pelt which has been cut on its edge preparatory to being connected by sewing with another piece of fur or pelt in the manner shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing part of the means for feeding the fur or pelt past the cutting station.

Fig. '7 is a similar view showing part of the means for operating and guiding the feed roller of the fur feed mechanism.

Figs. 8 and 9 are vertical transverse sections taken on the correspondingly numbered lines in Fig. 3 and looking forwardly.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the relation of the feed wheel of the fur feed mechanism, the die and punch of the fur cutting mechanism, and the nozzle or head of the suction I mechanism whereby the hair on the body portion of the skin is drawn out of line from the cutter mechanism and the severed pieces or scraps of hair-bearing pelt are carried away, these parts being viewed from the top.

Fig. 11 is a similar view of the mechanism for cutting the fur, the clamping means for holding the fur, and the pneumatic suction means for deflecting the hair on the body portion of the skin out of the path of the cutter mechanism and removing the severed scraps or pieces of waste, this View being taken from the underside of these parts.

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the pneumatic hair deflecting and scrap removing device embodied in a machine which utilizes a cutter mechanism similar to that shown in United States Patent application No. 90,279 heretofore mentioned.

Fig. 13 is a similar View showing the pneumatic hair deflecting and scrap removing devices used in connection with a fur cutter mechanism similar to that employed in the machines shown in United States Patents No. 2,040,364 and No. 2,073,219.

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary view showing pneumatic means for moving the hair on the body of the fur out of the cutting line by blowing the air for this purpose instead of sucking the same.

In the following description similar characters of reference indicate like parts in the several views of the drawings:

In making up a fur garment from a plurality of pelts or pieces of fur it is customary to provide the edges of the skins 20 of the pelt or fur with serrations which may be of any suitable form but generally have the form of alternating notches 2| and tabs 22 which are usually of angular form, as shown in Fig. 5, these pieces being assembled so that the tabs of one pelt fit into the notches of another pelt and are the opposing edges of the pelts connected by rows of stitches 23, as shown in Fig. 4. After two pelts or pieces of fur have been thus connected the hair 24 of one pelt are usually inclined and overlap the joint between adjacent pelts so that this joint is not visible but instead has the appearance of one con tinuous body.

The notches in the pelt or pieces of fur shown in Figs. 4 and 5 are of V-shaped form and the sides of each tab as there shown are at right angles to one another, but these angles and the notches in one edge thereof is being effected. At

one side of the place where the cutting of the fur or pelt takes place the table is provided with a pocket 2? into whichthe advancing end of the finished part of the fur is deposited and thus is out of the way and prevented from interfering with the proper presentation of the unfinished part of the fur to the cutting mechanism and the removal of the finished part of this fur from the cutting position.

Although various means may be employed for effecting the cutting of notches in the edge of the fur, those shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 8, 10 and 11 are preferred and as there shown this cutting mechanism is constructed as follows:

The numeral 28 represents a stationary cutting die which is mounted in any suitable manner on the central part of the main frame so that the cutting edge as on the underside of this die is 3 elevated a short distance above the top of the supporting table and forms a gap or horizontal passageway through which the fur or pelt is moved horizontally, in this case from the right hand side to the left hand side of the machine, for presenting successive parts of the rear edge of the pelt to the cutting mechanism. While feeding the pelt to and from the cutting position or station and also while the same is being operated upon byv the cutting mechanism, the pelt is supported on the table with its skin side facing upwardly and its hair side turned downwardly. As shown in Figs. 1, 10 and 11, the cutting edge of the die is of V-shaped form with the sides arranged at right angles to one another but any other angle may be employed if desired. The numeral 3t represents a vertically movable cutting punch or tool which is provided at its upper end with a V-shaped cutting edge 3i conforming to the cutting edge of the die and adapted to cooperate therewith for the purpose of cutting a corresponding shaped notch in the rear edge of a piece of fur and sever therefrom a piece of scrap which together with the hair thereon is carried away as waste while the remaining body portion of the pelt together with the hair thereon remains on top of the supporting table. This punch has its upper cutting edge arranged below the top of the table while moving the fur horizontally over the table for presenting successive edge portions thereof to the cutting mechanism, but during the cutting operation the fur is at rest so as to permit a notch to be cut therein as the punch rises against the underside of the fur and severs a portion of scrap therefrom as the punch enters the die.

Various means may be employed for imparting a vertically reciprocating motion to the punch. It is preferable, however, to employ the means which are shown in Figs. 1, 3, 6 and 8 for this purpose, the same being constructed as follows:

The numeral 32 represents a vertical guideway for the punch which is formed in the central part of the main frame below the pelt supporting table. Within the central part of the main frame is arranged a vertically swinging rock lever which preferably comprises two sections 33 which are pivoted by means of a horizontal transverse pin 34 to the main frame and have their front ends pivotally and adjustably connected with the lower end of the punch. For this last mentioned purpose a pivot block 35 is arranged between the front parts of the rock lever sections 33 andpivoted thereto by means of a horizontal transverse pin 36 and this pivot block is adjustably connected with the lower end of the punch by means of an adjusting screw is? secured at its lower end to the pivot block 35 while its upper end enters a threaded opening in the lower end of the punch. When it is desired to adjust the punch with reference to thepunch operating rock lever 83 the pivot block 35 is removed from this lever and its screw 3? is turned into or out of the punch the requisite extent for bringing the upper end of the punch into the desired position relative to the die after this pivot block is reconnected with the lever 33 and then this adjusting screw and pivot block are held in their adjusted positions by means of a clamping nut 38 arranged on this adjusting screw and en gaging with the lower end of the punch, as best shown in Fig. 3. By thus adjustably connecting the punch with the vertically swinging punch lever 33 it is possible not only to adjust the punch to suit various thicknesses of fur, or other conditions, but also permit of compensating for any Wear on the upper cutting end of the punch whenever this becomes necessary.

The upward movement of the punch lever 33 and the punch 36 is effected by means of a rotar-y earn 3%, which preferably has the form of an eccentric which engages with a roller ll] on the lower end of a vertically movable punch rod ii. This rod is guided with itslower and upper portions in guideways d2, it on the lower and upper parts of the main frame and has its central part pivotally connected by means of a' horizontal transverse pin M. The fit of this pin in the punch rod and punch lever, or either of them, is sufficiently loose to permit the punclf rod ii to move vertically in a straight line and the punch lever 33 to move in a curved line without producing any binding. During each rotation of the cam 3% its salient part raises the punch rod ti together with the punch lever and punch operatively connected therewith and. When this cam presents its receding part or low face to the roller M then this punch rod, lever and punch are again lowered by means of a spring 55 surrounding the upper part of the punch rod and bearing with its upper end against a shoulder on the upper part of the main frame while its lower end bears'against a shoulder on the central part of the punch rod, as shown in Figs, 3 and 8. The downward movement of the punch lever 33 and the parts associated therewith is limited by engagement of the underside of this lever with a stop face 48 on the lower part of the main frame which stop is preferably so located that the downward movement of this lever is arrested before the lowest part of the receding face of the punch cam is presented to the roller it, as shown in Fig. 3, thereby avoiding undue wear on this cam, and also permitting of adjusting the lowermost position of the punch independently of the formation of the punch cam.

The punch cam 39 is securedby a. key M or otherwise to-a main driving shaft 58 which is arranged lengthwise and horizontally in the lower part of the machine and journaled in suitable bearings E-Q, 50, provided on the respective part of the frame, as shown in Fig. 3. Upon the rear end of this shaft is mounted a large driving wheel 5i which rotates continuously while the machine is in operation and is adapted to be connected with and to be disconnected from the driving shaft for starting and stopping this machine when desired. Although various means may be employed for rotating the driving wheel this is accomplished in the present case by means an electric motor 52 mounted on the upper hand part of the main frame and having its driving shaft $3 provided with a small pulley fit around which passes one turn of a driving belt while the opposite turn of this belt passes around the large pulley 5! on the main driving shaft as best shown in Fig. 1.

Any suitable form of clutch may be employed for connecting and disconnecting the driving wheel 55 and the driving shaft 58, that shown in 1, 3, and 6 consisting generally of a coupling sleeve 58 connected by means of a spline with the rear part of the driving shaft 48 so as to be capable of sliding axially on the shaft but compelled to turn therewith. The opposing surfaces of this coupling sleeve and driving wheel are provided with opposing clutch teeth 58, 59 so that upon moving the coupling sleeve forwardly or away from the hub of the driving wheel these teeth win be disengaged and thereby arrest the operation of the machine while the driving pulley continues to rotate, as shown in Fig. 6, but when the coupling sleeve is moved rearwardly its teeth are engaged with those of the driving wheel, as shown in Fig. 1, thereby causing motion to be transmitted from the driving wheel 55 to the driving shaft is and operating the various parts of the machine. The coupling sleeve 56 is yieldingly held in its forward retracted or inoperative position in which its teeth are disengaged from those of the driving wheel by means of an uncoupling spring til interposed between this coupling sleeve and the hub of the driving Wheel. Rearward movement of the coupling sleeve for engaging its teeth with those of the driving wheel is effected by means of a clutch lever composed of two arms ti, 6! arranged vertically on opposite sides of the driving shaft 8 and provided at their lower ends with rollers 62 which engage with the front side of an annular flange on the periphery of the clutch sleeve. These clutch arms are connected at their upper ends with a clutch rocl; shaft til which is journaled horizontally and transversely in a bearing on the adjacent part of the main frame. This rock shaft is turned in the direction for moving the clutch arms forwardly by means of a spring having one end connected with the main frame and its opposite ends connectedwith a shifting arm which is attached to one end of the clutch rock shaft 8 as best shown in Fig, 1. Downward movement of the shifting arm is effected by means of a treadie or foot lever til ar ranged in the lower part of the machine and pivc ted at its rear end on the main frame so that it can swing vertically, and an upright shifting rod 68 connecting this treadle with the front end of the shifting arm Upon depressing this treadle the clutch mechanism is shifted for connecting the driving Wheel 5i with the driving shaft 38 and upon removing the foot from this treadle the spring 65 raises the treadle and associated parts and thus assists the clutch uncoupling spring Gll.

Means are provided for securely holding the pelt or fur in place while cutting notches in the edge thereof and also means whereby the hair on the body portion of the skin is drawn out of the path of the cutter by a stream of air, this last mentioned action also serving to carry away the scraps of skin and hair which are severed from the main or body portion of the fur during the operation for forming said notches. The means for accomplishing this purpose shown in Figs. 1, 3, 9, l0 and 11 are constructed as follows:

The numeral 6% represents a horizontal supporting and gripping plate which is arranged in a recess in in the central part of the table 26 and has its rear part extending underneath the die and provided with a rearwardly opening notch or recess ll which is of substantially the same form as the recess in the die and the shape of the punch and extends around the cutting edges of the die and punch but does not project into the path of the punch. This gripping or supporting plate is pivotally mounted at its front end so that its rear part can move vertically toward and from the underside of the die for the purpose of clamping the fur which is to be out against the underside of the die and thereby hold the fur firmly in place during the cutting op eration and also release the same after each cutoperation permitting it to be advanced step by step and present successive edge portions thereof to the cutter mechanism. This pivotal mounting of the gripping plate is preferably effected by providing the underside of the rear part of this plate with downwardly projecting lugs '42 which are pivoted by means of a horizontal transverse pin E3 on the adjacent part of main frame, as best shown in Fig. 3.

Underneath the gripper plate is arranged the hollow suction nozzle or head it of the means whereby the hair on the main or body portion of the skin is drawn out of the path of the punch and the scrap of skin and hair which is cut from the body of the pelt during the operation of notching the same are carried away. The iner mouth of this nozzle opens into the space between the underside of the die and the upper end of the punch and the upper and lower walls of this mouth are provided with V-shaped notches or recesses '55, it; which conform to the shape of the cutting edges of the die and punch and extend rearwardly along these edges but not into the path of the punch so as to permit the maximum suction effect to be exerted on the fur at the cutting station without, however, interfering with the operation of the cutter mechanism. The front part of the suction nozzle is pivotally mounted so that the rear end of the same can move vertically toward and from the underside of the rear part of the gripper plate. This pivotal mounting of the nozzle consists preferably of an eye H on the upper front part of this nozzle turning on the central part of the adjacent pin 73 which also serves to pivotally mount the gripper plate Gil on the main frame. An exhausting effect is produced in the suction nozzle by means consisting preferably of a suction fan H3 mounted on the left hand part of the main frame and having its eye connected by means of a flexible tube lit with the front part of the suction nozzle, as shown in Figs. 1 and 11. This fan may be driven by any suitable form of prime mover such, for example, as an electric motor 863. The outlet of this fan communicates two sections 33 of the punch lever.

with a waste receptacle or chamber 8'! which is adapted to receive the scraps of skin and hair which are moved from the main part of the pelt during the operation of cutting the same.

Means are provided which cause the gripper plate and the suction nozzle to move vertically in unison during part of the operation of the machine and at other times the suction nozzle is permitted to move independently of the gripper plate. In their preferred construction these means comprise stop brackets 82, secured tothe underside of the gripper plate and projecting underneath shoulders 83 on opposite sides of the rear part of the suction nozzle, and spring separating means consisting preferably of two springs fi l interposed between the outer parts of the stop brackets and shoulders or lugs 85 arranged on opposite sides of the suction head, as best shown in Fig. ll. While the gripper plate is in its lowered position and out of engagement from the underside of the die the rear part ofthe suction nozzle is also in its lowered position and spaced from the rear part of the gripper plate, this separation of the nozzle and the gripper plate being afiected by the expansion of the springs 8 3, the extent of such separation being arrested by engagement of the stop shoulders 85 on the suction nozzle with the stop brackets on the gripper plate, as shown in Fig. 11. I

During the first part of the upward movement of the gripper plate and the suction nozzle these members move in unison but in a separated condition until the rear part of the gripper plate engages with the underside of the fur which is resting against the die, thereby causing the fur to be firmly gripped while being out. After the gripper plate has engaged the fur the suction nozzle continues its upward movement for a time independently of the gripper plate, thereby compressing the springs 84 and producing an increased pressure against the fur. By thus interposing yielding spring means between the gripper plate and the suction nozzle this gripper plate is capable of adapting itself to pelts or furs of various thicknesses without otherwise affecting the operation of the machine and thereby enables thick and thin fur to be cut with equal facility Without requiring any adjustment of parts for this purpose.

I The means for moving the suction nozzle or head ve tically together with the gripper plate are preferably constructed as follows:

The numeral 3% represents a vertical rock arm which is provided at its free end with a roller 8? bearing against a rotary cam 88 mounted on the main driving shaft 48, as shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 9. This vertical rock arm 86 is connected with a rock shaft 89 which is suitably journaled on the main frame of the machine and provided with a horizontal rock arm 96 which is connected by means of an upright shifting rod 9| with the underside of the suction nozzle'in front of the pivot thereof, as best shown in Figs. 1 and 3. The rod ill is preferably arranged between the Yielding means are interposed between this punch lever and the suction nozzle which preferably consist of a heavy helical lifting spring 92 surrounding the upper part of the shifting rod 9i and bearing at its lower end against a supporting Washer 93 surrounding the rod 9! and resting on the front ends of the lever sections 33, while the I upper end of this spring bears against a shoulder S t on the underside of the suction nozzle, as shown in Fig. 3.

The operation of" this fur gripping and suc tion mechanism is as follows:

For the purpose of permitting the operator to place an edge of the fur to be cut in the proper position relative to the cutting mechanism the machine is operated to bring the gripping plate till into its lowered position so as to clear the gap or space between the underside of the die and the gripping plate. While this gripping plate is in its lowered position the suction head is also moved downwardly away from the gripping plate and the punch is in its lowered position relative to the mouth or inlet of the suction nozzle, this relative position of the parts being shown in Fig. 11. The punch is moved into this lowered posi-- tion by the action of the spring 85 which lowers the punch lever 33 and punch rod 41, the roller it at this time being opposite the lowest part of the face of the cam 39. The suction nozzle and. the gripper plate are moved into their lowermost position by engagement of the high or salient part of the cam 88 with the roller 81 of the vertical rock lever 86, whereby the latter is moved in the direction for causing the shifting rod 9| to be pulled downwardly to its lowermost position, whereby the lifting spring 92 is compressed and placed under greater tension.

After the operator has placed the fur to be out underneath the die the low part of the face of the cam is presented to the roller N of the vertical rock arm 86 thereby permitting the spring 932 to expand and move the roller 81 into engagement with the low face of the cam 88 and also raise the suction nozzle together with the fur gripper plate. During this upward movement of the gripper plate and the suction nozzle the same move in unison but in a separated condition until the gripper plate engages with the underside of the fur and presses the same against the underside of the die, thereby arresting the further upward movement of this gripper plate. After the upward movement of this gripper plate has been stopped the suction nozzle continues its upward movement under the continued expansion of this lifting spring 92 which is stronger than the separating springs 8 thereby causing the inlet or mouth of the suction nozzle to be carried near the die, and producing an increase in the gripping eifect on the fur. At this time the nozzle produces a. suction effect on the hair which projects downwardly from the underside of the skin of the fur so that said hair is drawn forwardly into the mouth of the suction nozzle. The suction nozzle draws the hair of the pelt in the manner described by reason of the mouth of the nozzle being uncovered at this time due to the upper end of the punch being below the mouth of the nozzle and therefore uncovering the same, as best shown in Fig. 3. Immediately after the suction nozzle has completed its upward movement and brought its inlet close to the underside of the die, the punch is moved from the lowermost position, which it occupies in Fig. 3, to its uppermost position, whereby the punch moves across the inlet of the nozzle and practically cuts off the suction effect of the nozzle and then shears oil the respective parts of the fur and hair within the cutting lines of the die and punch by cooperation of the cutting edges of the punch with that of the die.

As the cutting edge of the punch during its upward movement passes the cutting edge of the die that part of skin and the hair thereon Within the cutting lines of the punch and die are severed from the main or body portion of the die and carried away as scrap or waste by the suction of the nozzle, but the hair on that part of the skin of the fur which is to be retained is held by the air suction of the nozzle in a deflected position outside of the cutting lines of the die and punch and therefore this hair is not severed. but remains in its natural condition on the retained part of the skin.

During the upward movement of the punch the tension on the lifting spring 92 is increased by reason of the compression of the same between the upwardly moving punch lever 35 and the suction nozzle which is relatively stationary at this time, thereby causing the grip upon the fur to be increased so that the same will not be displaced while the operation of cutting the same is taking place. The punch now effects the first part of its downward movement independently of the nozzle and gripper plate, thereby retracting the same from the die and also uncovering the mouth of the nozzle, whereby the suction effect of the latter becomes operative and carries away the scrap waste skin and hair which has been cut from the main portion or body of the pelt and conducts the same to the delivery conduit or tube 219 leading to the exhaust fan 18 which discharges the same into the waste receptacle or chamber 8 5. While the suction nozzle carries away the scrap of hair bearing skin, any loose hair which has been cut from the pelt will also be carried away by the suction nozzle, thereby leaving the space immediately adjacent to the cutter mechanism clear of any waste material and keeping the machine clean. As the punch approaches its lowermost position the high part of the cam 83 is brought into engagement with the roller 8'! of the vertical rock arm 85 and moves the latter into a position which will cause the shifting rod ill to be pulled downwardly. During the first part of this downward movement of this rod the suction nozzle moves downwardly independently of the gripper plate until the shoulders on the nozzle engage with the stop brackets 22 after which the gripper plate is also moved downwardly with the nozzle, thereby again forming a gap between the upper side of the gripper plate and the underside of the die, whereby the fur which has just been cut is released and free to be advanced to another positicn for producing the next cut thereon.

If desired the pelt or piece of fur which is to be out may be moved by hand crosswise over the table and through the gap between the die and punch of the cutting mechanism but it is preferable to employ automatic means for this purpose in order to cut the notches uniformly and equally spaced distances from each other on the edge of the pelt and thereby insure accurate interfitting of the correspondingly notched edges of two pelts and enable them to be sewed together so that the line of connection between the two is imperceptible when the work is finished. Although various means for automatically feeding the pelt or fur for this purpose may be employed, it is preferable to utilize those which are shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 6, '7, 8 and 10 inasmuch as they have been found satisfactory in actual practice. As shown in these figures this fur feeding mechanism is constructed as follows:

The numeral represents a feed wheel or roller arranged in front of the cutting die 28 and above the rear part of the gripper plate t9 and adapted to turn about a longitudinal axis and also move bodily toward and from the skin side of the fur.

This feed wheel turns clockwise when viewed from the front of the machine so that upon lowering the same and engaging its underside with the fur the latter will be gripped by the feed wheel and moved from. right to left but when the feed wheel is raised the grip of the same on the fur will be released and the latter will remain at rest the table and the gripper plate. In order to insure a positive feeding action of the feed wheel when the same engages the fur, the periphery of the feed wheel is knurled, or roughened, as shown in Figs. 1, 3, S, and so that the feed wheel upon engaging the fur will positively move the same.

1 11s feed wheel is secured to a front longitudinal shaft section 96 which is connected by a universal joint ill with a rear longitudinal shaft section 98, these two shaft sections together ng' the feed shaft of the fur feeding mechanism. The rear feed shaft section is journaled in a bearing 99 formed on the adjacent upper part of the main frame of the machine and motion. for rotating the same and the feed wheel connected therewith is derived from the main driving shaft it. The means whereby motion is transmitted from the driving shaft 58 to the rear feed shaft section at is preferably so organized that the'feed wheel is rotated intermittently, the steps of turning the feed wheel and the periods of rest being alternated and so timed that the wheel turns one step while it is depressed. into engagement with the for or pelt, but the feed wheel is at rest when elevated out of engagement from the fur. Various means may be employed for thus imparting an in ermittent rotary feed mechanism that shown in the drawings being constructed as follows:

The numeral Hit represents an upright lower intermediate shaft which is journaled in bearings illi, Hi2 on the rear parts of the main frame and operatively connected with the main driving shaft 38 by intermeshing bevel or miter gear wheels W3, 5% secured respectively to the driving shaft ii! and the lower intermediate shaft lilil. Below the rear feed shaft section 9% is arranged an upper intermediate shaft Hi5 which is journaled horizontally and lengthwise in, a bearing ltli on the adjacent part of the main frame and operatively connected with the lower intermediate shaft lot by means of intermeshing bevel or miter gear wheels lil'l, Hill which are connected respectively with the upper end of the lower intermediate shaft tilt and the rear end of the upper intermediate shaft m5 as best shown in Fig. 3.

An intermittent rotary motion is imparted to the rear feed shaft section from the continuously rotating upper intermediate shaft m5 by an in termittent driving mechanism which resembles that of a Geneva-stop mechanism and comprises a trip wheel Hi9 mounted on the shaft M35 and having a driving pawl or pin Mil on one side of its center which is adapted to engage successively with radial slots ill formed in an annular row in the periphery of a star wheel H2 secured to the rear end of the rear feed shaft section 93 during successive turns of the continuously rotating shaft 5% and thereby turn the shaft section one step at a time with an interval of rest between successive steps. While the star wheel and feed shaft section t8 are at rest they are locsed against turning movement by a concentric locking surface H3 arranged on the trip'wheel and engaging successively with concave locking surfaces ll l which are formed on the periphery of the star wheel so as to alternate with the pawl slots therein, the periphery of this trip wheel being also provided with a clearance space H through which the teeth of the star wheel move when the latter is rotated by engagement of the pawl Ilil with one of the radial slots l i l.

The depression of the feed whee-l into engagement with the fur or pelt lying on the presser plate 69 is preferably effected by means of a depressing cam H6 formed on the front arm I ll of a feed rock lever which is pivoted by means of a horizontal transverse pin M8 on the upper part of the main frame. This feed rock lever is turned in the direction for moving the presser cam H6 downwardly by means of a spring H9 which is interposed between the rear arm I20 of the feed rock lever and the adjacent rear part of the main frame, 'as best shown in Fig. 3. Upon turning the feed rock lever in the opposite direction the feed wheel is lifted from the fur piece for the purpose of releasing the latter, this lifting action being effected by means of a V- shaped loop l2! passing around the underside of the front feed shaft section and having its legs which project upwardly from opposite sides of the front feed shaft section 95 pivotally connected with the front arm ill of the presser lever by means of a pin H22, as shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 6. This rising and falling movement of the feed wheel is possible without interference with the driving connection between this feed wheel and the rear feed shaft section due to the 7 universal joint 91 which connects the two feed shaft sections 96, 98. Lateral displacement of the front feed shaft section is prevented by guiding means which preferably consist of two upright guide walls I23 arranged on the upper front part of the main frame and engaging with opposing sides of the front feed shaft section, as shown in Fig. '7, thereby permitting the front feed shaft section to only move vertically but preventing horizontal movement of the same.

Turning of the feed wheel shifting lever H'l, I20 in the direction for raising the feed wheel is effected by means of a treadle or foot lever E24 which is arranged in the lower part of the main frame and pivotally connected therewith at its rear end by means of a pin l25 so as to be capable of vertically swinging movement, and an upright shifting rod I26 connecting this treadle with the rear arm I20 of the feed wheel shifting lever, as best shown in Fig. 5. By means of foot pressure the feed wheel shifting lever is turned in the direction for raising the feed wheel 55 from the fur or pelt and upon releasing the treadle from this foot pressure the spring H9 not only raises this treadle but also turns the shifting lever ill, I20 in the opposite direction and causes the feed wheel to be engaged with the pelt or piece of fur which is to be cut.

The construction of the intermittent driving mechanism'shown in Figs. 1, 3, and 8 is such that during each rotation of the star wheel H2 the feed wheel 95 effects six feeding steps on the fur which alternate with six periods of rest, thereby moving the fur forwardly six successive steps past the cutting station and causing six notches or serrations to be cut successively in the edge of the fur during each complete rotation of the feed wheel. The distance which the fur is moved forwardly during each step of this intermittent rotary movement of the feed wheel depends upon the circumference of the feed wheel and it is therefore possible by selecting a feed wheel of the desired diameter to either increase or decrease the length of the steps which the fur is moved forward during successive feeding actions of the feed Wheel.

During the normal operation of the machine the attendant maintains the treadle it? in a depressed condition by foot pressure so that the punch 36 rises and falls at regular intervals and effects successive cutting operations on the fur and at this time the attendant does not apply any foot pressure to the treadle 52d so that the feed wheel is turned intermittently at regular intervals and advances the fur while the punch is in its lowered position and the gripper plate is also lowered and releases its grip on the fur. When the gripper plate is elevated and holds the fur against the underside of the die and the punch ascends, then the feed wheel is at rest so that the fur will not be disturbed while the cutting mechanism is in operation, thereby insuring accurate and uniform cutting of the fur. After the edge of the fur has been cut from one end of the same to the other the fur is released by the operator stepping on the treadle l24 thereby raising the feed wheel from the fur and permitting the same to be removed from the machine. The feed wheel is retained in this elevated position until the attendant has introduced the advancing end of the rear edge of another piece of fur which is to be out after which the attendant removes the foot pressure from the i treadle I2 5 so as to reengage the feed wheel with the upper side of the fur and thereby resume the feeding steps of the fur in alternation with the cutting operation of the punch and die.

It is essential that the punch and gripper plate are standing in their lowered position when starting the machine and effect the first cutting operation on the front end of the rear edge of the fur, and means are therefore provided whereby the driving mechanism for the punch and associate parts are caused to stand in their lowermost position whenever the operator stops the motors whichtdrive the machine and depresses the feed wheel treadle lift for raising the feed wheel preparatory to introducing into the machine a pelt or piece of fur which is to be cut. The means for accomplishing this purpose are shown in Figs. 1, 3, and 6 and are constructed as follows:

The numeral l2'l represents a V-shaped timing notch which is formed in the periphery of the clutch flange 63 and H8 represents a timing lever which is pivoted between its arms on an adjacent stationary part of the main frame by means of a pin I29 and has one of its arms connected with the feed Wheel shifting rod 525 while its other arm provided with a roller E30 adapted to engage with the timing notch If]. If the operator stops the machine it may come to rest with the punch in an upper position in which case he naturally would operate the ma chine suiiiciently so as to lower the punch and permit of introducing the rear edge of the fur between the punch and die. In order, however, to produce the firstcutting operation on the fur of its front edge when starting at the extreme front end of the machine it is necessary for the punch to be in its lowermost position when starting the machine and ready to begin an upward stroke so as to cut a notch at the extreme front end of the edge of the fur. To insure this positioning of the punch the operator when depressing the feed treadle E24 for the purpose of lifting the-feed wheel preparatory to introducing the pelt between the punch and die also causes the timing lever 828 to turn so that its roller E30 enters the timing notch l2? on the driving shaft 418 and if this roller at this time strikes the bottom of this notch then the driving mechanism for the punch is in the proper position to immediately sheet the first upward stroke of the punch. and produce a cut in the extreme front end of the fur. if, however, the driving shaft coming to rest is turned somewhat ahead or behind the proper position where it should stand in order to cause the punch to be in its extreme downward position and ready to rise for effecting the first cut at the front end of the fur, then th upward movement of the roller :so on the timing lever 228 when depressing the feed treadle will engage either one inclined side or the other of he V-shaped notch E2? in the timing flange 63 and thereby exert a camming effect on this flange and cause the driving shaft to be turned one way or the other until the timing roller i382 engages with the bottom of the V-shaped timing notch illl and when this occurs the mechanism which operates the punch is so shifted that the punch is in its lowermost position and ready to begin its upward cutting stroke while the feed wheel is at rest.

For the purpose of enabling the attendant to properly gage the fur or pelt when placing the same in the gap between the die and punch, gage means are provided which preferably comprise a gage block I135 which is arranged in rear of the gripper plate and adjacent to the cutting mechanism so that this gage block may be engaged on its front side by the front edge of the skin of the fur, as shown in Fig. 2 and properly locate the same for cutting successive notches thereon.

In order to vary the position of this gaging surface and enable the same to be utilized for producing notches of different depth by the use of the same cutting mechanism, the gage block is made adjustable horizontally in a direction lengthwise of the machine. fhe preferred means for accomplishing this purpose consist of guide pins 5532, 32 projecting rearwardly from the guide block Hi and sliding in openings formed in a bracket its on the adjacent part of the main frame, an adjusting screw lS i projecting rearwardly from the central part of the guide block and through said bracket, and an adjusting screw nut i235 arranged in an opening L36 in the bracket and mounted on the adjacent part of the adjusting screw. By this means the adjusting nut is held against axial movement on the bracket but upon turning this adjusting nut the screw 93 will be moved forwardly or backwardly and carry the gage block in the corresponding direction, for the purpose of bringing the front or gage face of this block into the desired position for cutting notches of different depth in the edge of the fur to suit different requirements.

The starting and stopping of the motors =52, til which operate the fur feeding, cutting and suction mechanism may be controlled in any suitable manner but preferably by means of a switch. ldl arranged on the upper rear part of casing i 3 which encloses the upper working parts of the machine, this switch being in circuit with the above mentioned motors so that the same is within convenient reach and enables the operator to start and stop both these motors simultaneously when required.

It is to be understood that the spring l 59 which operates to turn the feed lever ill, 128 in the direction for lowering the feed wheel into engagement with the fur is lighter or weaker than the spring 92 which is interposed between the punch lever 33 and the suction nozzle so that when the punch lever 33 is raised the preponderating strength of the spring 92 will not only lift the suction nozzle and gripper plate and cause the fur to be clamped between the gripper plate and the die but it will also cause the feed wheel 95 to be raised so as to permit the fur to be clamped between the gripper plate and the die.

The pneumatic suction feature of this invention for drawing that part of the hair on the skin portion of the pelt which is to be retained and also carrying away the scraps of pelt and any loose hair produced during the cutting operation, be employed not only in connection with a punch and die as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings but the same may also be used in connection with various other forms of cutting devices.

For example, as shown in Fig. 12 this pneumatic suction device is used in connection with two rotating cutter disks $35, Hill which are arranged at an angle relative to each other so that upon raising and lowering these cutter disks 2. V- shaped notch will be cut in the edge of the fur in the manr. r which is fully described in the application for Letters Patent Serial No. 90,279 heretofore mentioned. This particular figure also shows an organization of this invention in which a vertically movable presser Ml is employed which operates to press. the fur downwardly against the gripper plate 69, this presser being of substantially the same form and operable by the corresponding means disclosed in said patent application 90,279.

If desired the piece of scrap fur which is to be cut from the main or body portion. of the same may be held in place during the cutting operation by the means shown in Fig. 12 which consist generally of two relatively movable jaws M2, M3 which are adapted to grip the scrap of fur at the rear edge of the same. Mechanism for thus operating the gripping jaws M2, M3 and also moving the same away from the fur may be of any suitable construction so that they will be in a separated or open condition while moving toward the rear edge of the scrap portion of the fur and thus permit the latter to be received between these jaws, then these jaws are moved relatively to each other so as to close upon scrap fur and grip the same and then these jaws are separated for releasing the scrap fur. In this construction the suction nozzle id is arranged below the gripping plate 69 and connected with an air exhausting device similar to that shown in Fig. 1 whereby the hair on the skin which is to be retained is drawn outside of the path of the cutter disks 8%, Hit and after the scrap of fur has been severed from the body portion thereof by these cutter disks then this scrap together with the hair thereon and any loose hair associated therewith are drawn away from the cutting mechanism by the suction nozzle.

The pneumatic hair deflecting and scrap removing means forming one of the features of the invention, may also be used in connection with a fur cutting machine in which a chisel, knife or blade lid is employed which has a vertically reciprocating movement across the pelt and also a horizontal movement parallel with the plane of the pelt in a path corresponding to the notch formed in the body of fur which is to be retained. for example a V-shaped notch, as shown in Fig. 13. A machine having a cutter "of chisel or knife form and operated in the manner described is shown in Letters Patent of the United States No. 2,040,364 and No. 2,073,219 and reference may 5 be had thereto for a more detailed description of such cutter operating mechanism. W'hen employing a chisel-shaped cutter of this character the fur may be supported on its underside upon a table M5 and the same may be advanced step 10 by step by means of a feed mechanism which includes a feed roller M6 engaging the upper side of the fur and actuated by the mechanism shown in Fig. 1 of the present application. The suction nozzle Hill for removing the scrap of hair- ;15 bearing fur cut from the main part of the fur is arranged in rear of the place where the chisel or cutter knife M4 performs its operation so that when the scrap of fur is removed from the body thereof the same will be carried away by the suc- 20 tion of air produced in this nozzle by means similar to those shown in Fig. 1. In this organization it is desirable to interrupt the suction action of the nozzle while the cutter lid is severing the scrap of fur. from the body thereof but allow the suc- .25 tion effect of the nozzle to act upon this scrap of fur when the same is severed from its body. For this purpose the exhaust conduit I48 whereby the nozzle It! is connected with an exhaust device similar to the fan 18 is provided with a valve M9 adapted to be moved alternately in opposite directions so that in one position the suction conduit will be shut off from the nozzle Ml and in another position this conduit will be placed in communication with this nozzle. The means whereby the valve M9 of the suction conduit is thus operated is suitably timed so that the suction device operates properly in conjunction with the fur cutting knife or chisel I44.

Inasmuch as this machine enables furs or 4 pelts to be cut without severing any of the hair,

which is attached to that part of the skin of the fur to be retained and thiscutting operation can be performed expeditiously and without the exercise of great care on the part of the operator,

it follows that the quality of the garments made by the use of this machine is greatly improved by reason of the fact that the scams or, joints between adjacent pieces of fur are invisible and it also enables work of this character to be done 5 more economically.

55 retained, this deflection of the hair on the body of the fur may be effected by means which blow the air for this purpose. This may be accomplished by the means which are shown diagrammatically in Fig. 14 where the fur 2E6 rests upon 60 a support 69! in such a position that the edge portion of the fur which is to be cut projects beyond the support and permits all of the hair on the fur to be blown into a deflected position toward the underside of the support 695 by 5 means of a nozzle Ml to which compressed air is supplied from any suitable source. When the hair is thus blown that part of the hair which is arranged outside of the cutting edge 28 of the die 28 and the cooperating cutting edge of the 70 punch 36 will be deflected outwardly away from this cutting edge so that when the punch moves past the cutting edge of the die only the remnant of skin at the edge of the piece of fur will be severed, as well as some of the hair thereon, but

75 none. of the hairs which are attached to the" body of the skin which is to be retained will be severed by these cutting means.

We claim as our invention:

1. A fur cutting machine comprising a support for the fur to be cut, means for cutting said fur while resting on said support, a rotary feed wheel for moving said fur over said support, a feed shaft having a rear section which is journaled in a stationary bearing and a front section carrying said feed wheel and having a universal connection with said rear section, means for moving said front feed shaft section and wheel toward and from said support, and means for turning said feed shaft and wheel intermittently.

2. A fur cutting machine comprising a support for the fur to be out, means for cutting said fur while resting on said support, a rotary feed wheel for moving said fur over said support, a feed shaft having a section which carries said feed wheel, and means for moving vertically said feed wheel and the section of the feed shaft connected therewith including a vertically swinging rock lever engaging with the upper side of said feed shaft section and a loop embracing said feed. shaft section and having its lower part engaging the underside of said shaft section and its upper part mounted on said lever.

3. A fur cutting machine comprising a support for the fur to be cut, means for cutting said fur while resting on said support, a rotary feed wheel for moving said fur over said support, a feed shaft having a section which carries said feed wheel, means for moving vertically said feed wheel and the section of the feed shaft connected therewith including a vertically swinging rock lever engaging with the upper side of said feed shaft section, a loop embracing said feed shaft section and having its lower part engaging the underside of said shaft section and its upper part mounted on said lever, and a vertical guideway for said feed shaft section.

4. A fur cutting machine comprising a support for the fur to be cut, means for cutting said fur while resting on said support, a rotary feed wheel for moving said fur over said support, a feed shaft having a section which carries said feed wheel, means for moving vertically said feed wheel and the section of the feed shaft connected therewith including a vertically swinging rock lever engaging with the upper side of said feed shaft section, a loop embracing said feed shaft section and having its lower part engaging the underside of said shaft section and its upper part mounted on said lever, a treadle connected with said lever, and a spring operating to turn said lever in the direction for moving said wheel toward said support.

5. A fur cutting machine comprising a die adapted to be engaged on its underside by the fur to be cut, a punch movable toward and from the underside of the die for cutting the fur between them, means for actuating said punch, including a rock lever pivoted at one end on a fixed support and adjustably connected at its opposite end with said punch, a shifting rod connected with said lever, a rotary cam for shifting said rod in the direction for carrying the punch toward said die, and spring means for moving said rod in the opposite direction.

6. A fur cutting machine comprising a die adapted to be engaged on its underside by the fur to be cut, a punch movable toward and from the underside of the die for cutting the fur between them, means for actuating said punch, including a rock lever pivoted at one end on a fixed support and adjustably connected at its opposite end with said punch, a shifting rod connected with said lever, a rotary cam for shifting said rod in the direction for carrying the punch toward said die, spring means for moving said rod in the opposite direction and a fur supporting plate movable toward and from the underside of said die.

7. A fur cutting machine comprising a die adapted to be engaged on its underside by the fur to be cut, a punch movable toward and from the underside of the die for cutting the fur be tween them, means for actuating said punch, including a rock lever pivoted at one end on a fixed support and adjustably connected at its opposite end with said punch, a shifting rod connected with said lever, a rotary cam for shifting said rod in the direction for carrying the punch toward said die, spring means for moving said rod in the opposite direction, a fur supporting plate movable toward and from the underside of said die and a feed wheel movable toward and from said supporting plate.

8. A fur cutting machine comprising a cutting device which includes a relatively movable die and a punch between which the fur is cut, pneumatic means which carry away the scrap and hair cut from the pelt of the fur and which include a nozzle movable toward and from the die, the mouth of said nozzle being covered by said punch when the latter is moved into operative relation with the die and uncovered when the punch is retracted into its inoperativeposition relative to the die.

9. A fur cutting machine comprising a die. a punch movable toward and from the die, a fur supporting plate movable toward and from said die, a pneumatic suction nozzle movable toward and from said die, and means for actuating said plate, nozzle and punch successively toward and from said die.

10. A fur cutting machine comprising a die, a punch movable toward and from the die, a fur supporting plate movable toward and from said die, a pneumatic suction nozzle movable toward and from said die, and means for actuating said plate, nozzle and punch successively toward and from said die, including yielding means interposed between said nozzle and supporting plate and yielding means interposed between said nozzle and punch.

11. A fur cutting machine comprising a die, a punch movable toward and from said die, a pivoted supporting plate movable toward and from said die, a pivoted pneumatic suction nozzle having an inlet mouth movable toward and from said plate and die, spring means which are interposed between said supporting plate and suction nozzle and which are compressed as the nozzle moves toward said plate and die, and stop means which limit the separation of said supporting plate and nozzle as the latter is moved away from the die.

12. A fur cutting machine comprising a die, a punch movable toward and from said die, a pivoted supporting plate movable toward and from said die, a pivoted pneumatic suction nozzle having an inlet mouth movable toward and from said plate and die, spring means which are interposed between said supporting plate and suction nozzle and which are compressed as the nozzle moves toward said plate and die, stop means which limit the separation of said supporting plate and nozzle as the latter is moved away from the die, means for retracting said noz zle and plate from said die, means for actuating said die, and spring means interposed between said die actuating means and said nozzle and plate retracting means.

13. A fur cutting machine comprising a die, a punch movable toward and from said die, a pivoted supporting plate movable toward and from said die, a pivoted pneumatic suction nozzle having an inlet mouth movable toward and from said plate and die, spring means which are interposed between said supporting plate and suction nozzle and which are compressed as the nozzle moves toward said plate and die, stop means which limit the separation of said supporting plate and nozzle as the latter is moved away from the die, means for retracting said nozzle and plate from said die including a rock lever connected with said nozzle and a rotary cam engaging said rock lever, means for actuating said die including a rock lever connected with said die, and spring means interposed between said last mentioned lever and said nozzle.

14. A fur cutting machine comprising a cutter mechanism having two members which move into and out of operative position relative to each other, an intermittently operating feed mechanism for feeding the fur past said cutter members, and means for causing the punch to be retracted from said die prior to starting the operation of the feeding mechanism.

15. A fur cutting machine comprising a cutter mechanism having two members which move into and out of operative position relative to each other, an intermittently operating feed mechanism for feeding the fur past said cutter member, means for causing the punch to be retracted from said die prior to starting the operation of the feeding mechanism, including a timing wheel rotating in unison with each cycle of operation of the cutter mechanism and provided with a V- shaped notch, and a rock lever movable in unison with said feed mechanism into and out of the operative position of the latter and having a tappet adapted to engage either side of the V-shaped notch in said timing wheel and shift the punch operating mechanism into its retracted position preparatory to starting the operation of said feed mechanism.

16. A fur cutting machine comprising relatively movable cutting members having cooperating cutting edges which receive between them the hair bearing skin to be cut, and pneumatic means for producing a stream of air across the cutting line of said members to deflect the hair of the skin away from the path of the cutting member which approaches the hairy side of the skin so that this hair will not be severed by said last cutting member.

17. A fur cutting machine comprising relatively movable cutting members having cooperating cutting edges which receive between them the hair bearing skin to be cut, pneumatic means for producing a stream of air across the cutting line of said members to deflect the hair of the skin away from the path of the cutting member which approaches the hairy side of the skin so that this hair will not be severed by said last cutting memher, and feeding means which are intermittently engaged with said hair bearing skin and disengaged therefrom. for advancing said skin while the cutting members are retracted from the skin and holding the skin at rest while the cutting members are operating on the same. 

